The White Queen

Chapter 8- The tie that binds us

A/N: Sorry it took me a little longer to update. It's been freezing cold- I'm in MN and tomorrow (Mon) is supposed to be the coldest day on record so perhaps I will get more writing done then. I found it quite amusing that the newscaster said it was no longer stupid cold but dangerously cold. Also, please send good happy thoughts my way for a new job may present itself to me, which is something that I desperately want that or review *winkwink*. Anyway, enjoy!

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It was a very happy time for Merlin and Lea, they were finally able to be together and no one was dying or fighting to keep the ways of life. Everyone was happy. Merlin had alternating titles, but he never stopped serving Arthur. Morgana was still out there and it was still up to him to protect the once and future king of Albion because as many knew, Morgana would not stop unless Arthur was dead. She wouldn't be taking any prisoners.

However, there was a small issue of stress for Mr. and Mrs. Pendragon, they were trying to produce an heir and couldn't. Gaius couldn't explain it and they were both getting anxious. They wanted children not just for the sake of the kingdom, but also because they simply wanted a family. They were essentially both orphans now and wanted to create a family of their own. A family with the wisdom and grace that each of them had and is what they wanted to bestow on their children. Gaius had told Gwen that stress could be the problem and to try and relax. She did but in her mind she was wrestling with the possibility that she may never have the family she wanted so for support she went to the only person she felt understood. Elita.

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Lea was doing a bit of cross-stich in the chambers that she shared with Merlin when a knock came upon her door. She wasn't expecting anyone but stood up slowly and welcomed them in. Gwen came in and relayed her troubles and stresses. Lea let her weep in her arms and then took her by the shoulders and spoke gently to her.

"Oh sweet Gwen. If Gaius can't explain it for any medical reason then it probably is stress. High levels of stress can cause negative effects in the body. It can make people sick, it can make people mad or irritable and it can prevent regular cycles and even pregnancy. I don't think that there is anything wrong with you; you just have to relax and not put timing on it. It will happen when it does."

Gwen listened to her words and nodded in affirmation. Even though she wasn't completely convinced, Lea explained things more than Gaius. Gwen never had to ask Lea why she simply told her and it made her friendship and the bond they shared more invaluable.

"Thank you Lea. I really appreciate it. I'm sorry I've gotten so emotional."

"Please Gwen, it's not a problem. Someone has gone to fetch some warm tea. Would you like to stay for a bit and have a cup with me? It may calm your nerves."

"That would be lovely; I think at this point I could use it." Gwen smiled at Lea and they began the first of many occasions of chatting and finding many ways to use their creativity and charm to wake the place up and help out the people of the lower town. Slowly Gwen was finding ways to turn her desperation to passion and use it for worthwhile endeavors.

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The four of them were gathered at the table one day for lunch waiting for the food to be brought out. They were enjoying the longest time of peace that Camelot has known. Morgana did not rear head and people almost forgot she existed, almost. Lea was acting a little strange at times to Merlin but he didn't say anything and she would suddenly be fine later. However even though there was laughter and fancy at the table when Merlin began to notice Lea fanning herself. He leaned over when Gwen began talking to Arthur to whisper in her ear.

"Lea are you alright?" She smiled forcefully and nodded

"I'm fine my dear."

"I don't think you are, it's actually a little chilly in here and you look very hot and tired." Lea for the first time since they've met took the goblet that she just took a sip from and slammed it down on the table.

"So I'm ugly now? Am I so rotten Merlin that you have to remind me of all my imperfections" She began weeping and fanned her a bit more. Gwen and Arthur look stunned before Merlin spoke again.

"Umm no, I'm sorry... I just wanted to make sure you were alright. Forgive me." He looked around with a confused face as Arthur chimed in.

"Merlin's right Lea, take it easy... he wasn't trying to hurt your feelings, he was just concerned."

"Of course you would take his side!" Lea cried.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me Arthur..."it was then that the food was being brought it and Lea though she was going to vomit."I think I'm going to be sick." she cried putting her hand to her mouth and before she could run out she felt herself swaying before she passed out. Everyone came rushing to her, the boys helping her and rushing her to Gaius.

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Elita began awaking in the arms of her beloved on the way to Gaius'. He laid her on the cot as the physician asked of what happened. Gwen told him of the events and Merlin said that she had been acting a bit strange. Her habits at lunch far outweighed anything he noticed beforehand.

"Gaius will she be alright?" Gaius avoided the question and asked them all to step outside so that he may examine her.

As they all stepped outside, Merlin began pacing back and forth down the hallway. The knights got wind of the occurrence and everyone was talking to Merlin and offering good wishes and happy thoughts.

"Thank you everyone, really I am alright. It could be just exhaustion, who knows?" Arthur walked down the hall and put his arm on Merlin's shoulder.

"She will be alright Merlin, I believe in the strength you give her. She has always been a fighter..." the young warlock shook his head and gave a very unsure smile with a mumble of a 'yeah' somewhere in-between.

Gaius opened the door while wiping his hands on a towel. "Lea is now awake." And before anyone, namely Merlin could ask he quickly added. "Congratulations Merlin, you are going to be a father. Lea is with child. She was quite surprised when I told her myself. She merely needs to get adequate rest and to eat a little more. I'd say she's at least three months along."

Everyone stood there in stunned silence, their eyes moving from Merlin, to Gaius, to trying to peer inside. Merlin than slowly turned around to face the knights and Arthur and said with the biggest most idiotic looking grin on his face full of sheer happiness.

"I'm going to be a father. I can't believe it, I'm... I'm really going to be a father." Arthur beamed with pride for his servant and ruffled the dark hair on his head.

"Yes you are Merlin. Just be sure that he won't be as clumsy as you."

"How do you know if it's going to be a girl or boy?" Merlin questioned not noticing that Lea was right behind him.

"Because my dear, he is Arthur king of Camelot." Merlin jumped and gave a half yelp not expecting to see Lea standing up, everyone laughed at him.

"Lea! Are you sure you are supposed to be up? Are you okay? We are going to have a baby!" his voice full of concern and worry.

"It's okay Merlin. I simply and going to retire to my chambers. Before I do, I owe all of you an apology. I'm sorry for the way I acted, I just felt very out of sorts. Gaius said that during pregnancy there can be added stress and rapid fluctuation in emotions. Again, I'm sorry. I was told I would never bare children, I don't know how this happened. I am grateful and happy though." she began to cry and rub her stomach while the knights looked around tried to figure out what to do, they bid everyone goodnight and dismissed themselves. Merlin helped Lea to their room so that she could rest.

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A few more weeks passed and Morgana got wind of the pregnancy. She was able to prevent Gwen's pregnancy with an enchantment, but she didn't foresee based on word of Lea being barren that she would be able to conceive. That didn't matter though now. She knew Gwen was so good natured and so heartfelt that the news would be detrimental to her, especially when she herself was trying to have a child. She heard much from her spies within the castle walls. Now she would simply use magic on a fertility pendant. Agravaine would give it to Gwen explaining that it was a fertility pendant and then use Gwen to orchestrate Lea's capture. Morgana smirked at the thought. Lea would never give birth, Merlin's heart would be broken at the loss of both of them and Arthur would feel betrayed that Gwen would turn against the kingdom. Not even Emrys could save them from their fates and she would then take the thrown so rightfully hers. She took a metamorphosis pendant from the olde religion and enchanted it before handing it to Agravaine.

"Make sure you don't fail me Agravaine. Lea and her servant spawn will die slowly, painfully and Merlin...Merlin will be so heartbroken that the loss will consume him. I want his blood and Arthur's to run from here to Camelot's gates. If you fail, don't bother coming back."

"Yes Morgana, consider it done."

A/N: What exactly does Morgana have in store for Lea before she kills her? What will happen to the life growing inside her?